Sock display package



Aug. 27, 1963 F. sYDNoR SOCK DISPLAY PACKAGE Filed Dec. 6, 1960 INVENTOR: FRAN K SY u No2 Mrmml um@ ATTGR NEYS United States Patent O 3,101,842 SOCK DISPLAY PACKAGE Frank Sydnor, l\/Iount Airy, N.C., assigner to Rcnfro Hosiery Mills Company, Mount Airy, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Dec. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 74,052 6 Claims. (Cl. Zilli-45.33)

The present invention relates generally to a sock display package and more particularly to a sock display package of the type which is adapted to prominently display the ornamented top or culi of the socks contained therein and to the blank from which the package is formed.

It has become popular to package individual pairs of socks in attractive display packages which attract the attention of prospective customers and which display the socks in the most prominent manner. It is known to support the turned down cutl of the lowerrnost of a pair of juxtapositioned socks on a tab formed in a llat display card, as shown in US. Patent No, 2,833,399. In this package, if the socks are small enough in size, they can be held in flat unwrinkled, unfolded condition on the flat card so that `the cuff and the complete uppermost sock may be observed by a prospective customer. However, when it is desired to package larger sized socks, the lower portion of the sock must be folded beneath the lower edge of the card and an objectionable wrinkle or pucker is formed at the heel pocket of the socks. The rear side of the flat display card may be used to print advertising indicia or the like, however, the card cannot be printed in the area where the supporting tab is located and the portion of the cuff supported by the tab can be seen from the `back of the card.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary obiect of the present invention to provide a sock display package for prominently displaying the ornamental cuff of `the outermost of a pair of juxtapositioned socks which are folded .along an angularly disposed fold line extending through the heel of the socks while maintaining the folded socks in unwrinkled condition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sock display package which is of simple construction and which has a smooth uninterrupted rear face that may be utilized to print advertising or other indicia thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sock display package in which a pair of folded socks may be easily packaged and the completed packages may be stacked on top of each other or may stand in a row in vertical position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a blank for use in assembling a sock package of the type described which requires printing on only one side thereof and when the blank is folded and the socks placed therein, `the printed indicia will appear on both sides of the package.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the inside of the unfolded blank;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of the outside of the unfolded blank showing, in dotted lines, the manner in which the printed indicia may be arranged thereon;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of the partially folded blank;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the complete package showing a pair of socks disposed therein and omitting the printed indicia;

3,101,842 Patented Aug. 27, 1963 lCe FIGURE 5 is a rear elevation of the package and omitting the printed indicia;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view through the package, taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE 4, and showing the completed package with the pair of folded socks disposed therein and an overwrap applied thereto.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the completed sock display package (FIGURES 4 and 5) includes a transparent envelope or overwrap 11, a sock supporting member or blank broadly indicated at 12 (FiGURES l-3) and a pair of socks broadly indicated at S. The overwrap 11 `may be formed of any suitable flexible plastic material, such as for example, a polyethylene plastic. The overwrap 11 may be formed into an envelope and closed in the conventional way by heat welding the opposing faces together at their edges.

The blank 12 (FIGURES 1-3) is cut from relatively stili paper or cardboard and is elongated in dat condition with opposite ends thereof being cut at angles relative to opposite sides to denne angularly disposed free edges 12a and 12b. A pair of spa-ced apart transversely extending scored fold lines 13 and 14 -divide the blank 12 into a body or rear panel 15 and hingedly connected end or front panels `16 and 17. Preferably, front panel 16 is of suicient dimensions relative to rear panel 15 t0 overlie more than one-half of rear panel 15 `when in folded condition, and front panel `17 is of suilicient dimensions to overlap at least a portion of front panel 16. The front panel 16 is eut along a U-shaped line 18 (FIGURES l and 2) to provide an elongated sock supporting tab 19 `which is connected at one end to the panel 16, extends in a direction away from the angular free edge 12a and has a free end terminating adjacent the fold line 13.

The outside surface of the blank 12 is provided with any suitable type of printed indicia 2G, indicated in dotted lines in FIGURES 2 and 3. The indicia 20 is printed on all three panels 15, 16 and 17 in a single printing operation and when the blank 12 is folded, in a manner to be presently' described, the indicia 2l) will appear on both sides of the package. The printed indicia may include any type of ornamentation and information, such as size, brand name, ber content, ete. (FIGURE 2).

FIGURE 3 illustrates the preferred manner in which the blank 12 is folded with the front panel 16 being folded downwardly to overlie the upper portion of the rear panel 15 so as to expose the printed indicia 20 thereon for reading by viewing customers. The front panel 17 is folded upwardly to overlie the lower portion of the rear panel 15 and the angularly disposed free edge 12a of the front panel 16 so as to expose other portions of the printed indicia 20 to the customer. when the blank 12 is folded in this manner, the printed indicia 2t) on the outside of the back panel 15 is also exposed `to view by the customer.

In order to place a pair of socks S in the sock supporting member 12, the ornamental cuffs 22 are rst turned down on the corresponding legs 23 and then one sock is placed on top of the other with the foot portions 24 and heel pockets 25 in alinement. Then, the cuff of the lower sock is placed on and supported by the tab 19 (FIGURE 6). As shown in FIGURE 6, the tab 19 is substantially the same length as the turned down cuff 22 and is preferably of a length equal to at least one-half the length of the shortest side edge of front panel 16 and the upper free end of the tab 19 extends up to the fold line of the cuff 22 of the inner or lower sock to support the same in position on the front panel 16. The outer sock of the pair is supported by frictional engagement with the inner sock and it will be held in juxtaposition thereagainst by the overwrap 11, to be later applied. The foot portions 24 are then folded upwardly behind the front panel 16 (FIGURES 4-6) so that they are disposed between the front panel 16 and rear panel 1S and hidden from view. In the present instance, the foot portions 24 are also folded back upon themselves and the free ends thereof extend down behind the front panel 17 (FIGURES 4 and 6).

The size of the socks S, particularly the length of the foot portions 24, will determine whether the foot portions 24 need be folded upon themselves between the front panels 16 and the rear panel 15. For example, if the socks S are small and the foot short, the foot portions 24 may extend straight up behind the front panel 16 and lie at between the front panel 16 and the rear panel 15. On the other hand, if the foot portions 24 are long, it is necessary to fold them downwardly, as shown in FIGURES 4 6. In any event, the foot portions 24 are held in position between the front panel 16 and rear panel and hidden from View by the customers.

As is well known, when socks are laying flat with the heel at one side, the foot portion extends away from the leg at an angle and when the sock is folded at the heel pocket and the foot placed against the leg, an angularly disposed fold line extends across the sock and divides the heel pocket. In the present package, the distance from the upper free end of the tab 19 to the angularly disposed free edge 12a of the front panel 16 corresponds to the distance between the upper fold of the cuff 22 and the angularly disposed fold line extending across the heel pocket when the foot portions 24 are folded up behind the leg portions 23.

Thus, when the foot portions 24 are folded up behind the front panel 16 and in alinement behind the legs 23, the angularly disposed fold line extending through the heel pocket 25 corresponds to and is held in snug engagement with the angular free edge 12a of the front panel 16 (FIGURE 4). The front panel 16 extends down between the leg 23 and foot 24 of the innermost sock and the free edge 12a thereof maintains the angularly disposed fold line in flat condition.

After the socks S are positioned in the folded support member 12, with the ornamental cuffs 22 held in position on the front panel 16 and the foot portions 24 folded between the front panel 16 and rear panel 15, the transparent overwrap 11 is applied to hold the panels in folded position. The transparent overwrap 11 does not obscure the exposed portions of the socks S or the printed portions of the folded blank 12 and prevents the entrance of dust, dirt or the like into the package. Other means may be provided to hold the panels in folded position and the socks S therein. For example, a band of any desired width could be wrapped around the package vertically or horizontally and secured together at opposite ends.

When the socks S are positioned with the lowermost cuff 22 over the tab 19, the portion of the leg 23 immediately below the cuIf 22 is exposed to view by the customer and the overlying upper portion of the front panel 17 obscures the heel and the portion folded over the free edge 12a of the front panel 16. As heretofore stated, the angle of the free edge 12a corresponds to the angle of the fold line of the socks when they are folded at the heel (FIGURE 4) and therefore the angularly disposed free edge 12a aids in the folding of the socks and in maintaining the socks in fiat unwrinkled condition in the package.

The design of the present sock display package makes it well adapted to be folded in an alternative manner so that the free edge 12b of the front panel 17 may be positioned behind the free edge 12a of the front panel 16, if desired. Also, although the front panels 16 and 17 are shown hingedly connected to opposite ends of the rear panel 15, it is to be understood that they may be hingedly connected to opposite sides thereof and folded to overlie the same.

It is thus seen that the present sock display package provides an economical means for displaying the most attractive portion of the socks in an attractive setting which is appealing to the prospective customer. Also, the socks are maintained in unwrinkled condition when the packages are stacked on top of each other or standing in a row in vertical position.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

l. A package for prominently displaying the upper portion of a pair of socks, said package comprising a pair of flattened juxtapositioned socks having cuff, leg, heel and foot portions, said socks folded along an angularly disposed fold extending through said heel, said leg portions being superposed and in alinement with said foot portions, a folded sock support member formed of relatively stiff paperboard material, said sock supporting member including a rectangular rear panel, a front panel hingedly connected to said rear panel and folded to overlie a major portion of said rear panel, an angularly disposed free edge on said front panel, said free edge extending across said rear panel at an angle corresponding to the angle taken by the angular fold at the heel of the socks, support means carried by said front panel for supporting the cuff and leg of the lowermost sock positioned thereon and holding the fold at the heel of the socks in engagement with the angularly disposed free edge of said front panel, said foot portions positioned tbetween said front panel and said rear panel, and means surrounding said socks and said sock support member to retain said panels in folded position and said socks in flattened unwrinkled condition therein.

2. A package for prominently displaying the upper portion of a pair of socks, said package comprising a pair of flattened juxtapositioned socks having culf, leg, heel and foot portions, said socks being folded along an angularly disposed fold extending through said heel, said leg portions being super-posed and in alinement with said foot portions, a `folded sock support member formed of relatively stiff paperboard material, said sock supporting member including a rectangular rear panel, a front panel hingedly connected to said rear panel and folded to overlie a major portion of said rear panel, an angularly disposed free edge on said front panel, said free edge extending across said rear panel at an angle corresponding to the angle taken by the angular fold at the heel of the socks, a support tab cut in said front panel and disposed between the turned down cuff and adjacent leg of the lowermost sock to support the same on said fnont panel and hold the fold at the heel of the socks in engagement with the augularly disposed free edge of said `front panel, said foot portions positioned between said front panel and said rear panel, and means surrounding said socks and said sock support member to retain said panels in folded position and said socks in attened unwrinkled condition therein.

3. A package for prominently displaying the upper portion of a pair `of socks, said package comprising a pair of attened juxtapositioned socks having cuff, leg, heel and foot portions, said socks being folded along an angularly disposed fold extending through said heel, said leg `portions being superposed and in alinement `with said foot portions, a folded sock support member formed of relatively stil paperboard rnaterial, said sock supporting member including a rectangular rear panel, a front panel hingedly connected to said rear panel and `iiolded to overlie a major portion of said rear panel, an angularly disposed free edge on said front panel, said free edge extending across said rear panel at an angle corresponding to the angle taken `by the angular fold at the heel of the socks, a support tab cut in said front panel, said tab having a free end disposed between the turned down out and adjacent leg of the lowermost sock to support the same on said front panel, the distance between the free end of said tab and said angular free edge being equal to the distance from the top of the turned down cuff to the angular fold at the heel of the socks to thereby hold the fold at the heel of the socks in engagement With the angularly disposed free edge of said front panel, said foot portions positioned between said front panel and said rear panel, and means surrounding said socks and said sock support mernlber to retain said panels in olded position and said socks in liattened unwrinkled condition therein.

4. A package for prominently displaying the upper portion of a pair of socks, said package comprising a pair of flattened juxtapositioned socks having cuit, leg, heel and foot portions, said socks being folded along an angularly disposed fold extending through said heel, said leg portions being superposed and in alinernent with said foot portions, a folded sook support member formed of relatively stili paperboard material, said sock supporting member including a rectangular rear panel, a iirst front panel hingedly connected to said rear panel and folded to overlie a major portion of said rear panel, an angularly disposed free edge on said first front panel, said free edge extending across said rear panel at an angle corresponding to the angle taken by the angular fold at the heel of the socks, a support tab cut in said rst front panel, said tab having a free end disposed between the turned down cuff and adjacent leg of the lowermost sock to support the same on said first front panel, the distance `between the free end of said tab and said angular free edge being equal to the distance from the top of the turned down cuff to the angular fold at the heel of the socks to thereby hold the fold at the heel of the socks in engagement with the angularly disposed free edge of said rst front panel, said `foot portions positioned between said first front panel and said rear panel, a second panel hingedly connected to said rear panel and folded to overlie a portion of said rear panel and at least the portion of the socks held in engagement with the angular free edge of said front panel, and means surrounding said socks and said sock support member to retain said panels in `folded position and said socks in flattened unwrinkled condition therein.

5. A package for prominently displaying the upper portion of a pair of socks, said package comprising a pair of attened juxtapositioned socks having cuff, leg, heel and foot portions, said socks being folded along an angularly disposed vfold extending through said heel, said leg portions being superposed and in alinement with said foot portions, a folded sook support member formed of relatively stiff papenboand material, said sock supporting member including a rectangular rear panel, a rst front panel hingedly connected at one end to one end of said rear panel and folded to overlie a major portion of said rear panel, an angularly disposed free edge on said lirst iront panel, said free edge extending across said rear panel at an angle corresponding to the angle taken by the angular fold at the heel of the sock, a support tab cut in said rst front panel, said tab having a free end disposed between the turned down cud and adjacent leg of the lowermost sock to support the same on said first front panel, the distance between the free end of said tab and said angular free edge being equal to the distance from the top of the turned down culi to the angular fold at the heel of the socks to thereby hold the fold at the heel of the socks in engagement with the angularly disposed free edge of said first front panel, said foot portions positioned between said first front panel and said rear panel, a second panel hingedly connected at one end to the other end of said rear panel and folded to overlie a portion of said rear panel and at least the portion of the socks held in engagement with the angular free edge of said rst front panel, an angularly disposed edge defining the free end of said second front panel and extending at an angle substantially corresponding to the angle of the free edge of said first front panel, and a transparent overwrap enclosing said socks and said sock support member to retain said panels in folded p0- sition and said socks in flattened unwrinkled condition therein.

6. A sock supporting member adapted to display in unwrinkled condition the upper portion of a pair of flattened juxtapositioned socks having turned down cuffs, and leg, heel and foot portions, which portions have been folded along an angularly disposed fold line extending through the heel portions so that the leg and foot portions are in juxtaposed alined relation, said supporting member being formed of relatively stiff paperboard material and comprising a rectangular rear panel, a iirst front panel hingedly connected at one end to one end of said rear panel and disposed in overlying relation to said rear panel, said first front panel being of sufficient dimensions to ovcrlie more than one-half of said rear panel, said rst front panel terminating in a free edge at the other end which extends transversely across said rear panel at an obtuse angle to one side edge of said rear panel, said first front panel being adapted to receive the foot portions of the pair of folded socks on the side thereof adjacent said rear pane-l and the leg portions of the pair of folded socks on the other side thereof with the folded heel portions against said angled free edge throughout their width, a second front panel hingedly connected at one end to the other end of said rear panel and disposed in overlying relation to the remaining portion of said rear panel and a portion including said angled free edge of said first front panel, and a support tab carried by the central portion of said lirst front panel and extending in a direction away from said angled free edge, said support tab being adapted to support the cuff and leg portion of the lowermost sock in said pair.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 246,298 Eckman Aug. 3G', 1881 1,167,072 Houghton Jan. 4, 1916 1,720,679 Kam July 16, 1929I 2,995,845 Fraser Aug. 15, 1961 

6. A SOCK SUPPORTING MEMBER ADAPTED TO DISPLAY IN UNWRINKLED CONDITION THE UPPER PORTION OF A PAIR OF FLATTENED JUXTAPOSITIONED SOCKS HAVING TURNED DOWN CUFFS, AND LEG, HEEL AND FOOT PORTIONS, WHICH PORTIONS HAVE BEEN FOLDED ALONG AN ANGULARLY DISPOSED FOLD LINE EXTENDING THROUGH THE HEEL PORTIONS SO THAT THE LEG AND FOOT PORTIONS ARE IN JUXTAPOSED ALINED RELATION, SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER BEING FORMED OF RELATIVELY STIFF PAPERBOARD MATERIAL AND COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR REAR PANEL, A FIRST FRONT PANEL HINGEDLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO ONE END OF SAID REAR PANEL AND DISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID REAR PANEL, SAID FIRST FRONT PANEL BEING OF SUFFICIENT DIMENSIONS TO OVERLIE MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF SAID REAR PANEL, SAID FIRST FRONT PANEL TERMINATING IN A FREE EDGE AT THE OTHER END WHICH EXTENDS TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID REAR AT AN OBTUSE ANGLE TO ONE SIDE EDGE OF SAID REAR PANEL AT AN FRONT PANEL BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE FOOT PORTIONS OF THE PAIR OF FOLDED SOCKS ON THE SIDE THEREOF ADJACENT SAID REAR PANEL AND THE LEG PORTIONS OF THE PAIR OF FOLDED SOCKS ON THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF WITH THE FOLDED HEEL PORTIONS AGAINST SAID ANGLED FREE EDGE THROUGHOUT THEIR WIDTH, A SECOND FRONT PANEL HINGEDLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE OTHER END OF SAID REAR PANEL AND DISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO THE REMAINING PORTION OF SAID REAR PANEL AND PORTION INCLUDING SAID ANGLED FREE EDGE OF SAID FIRST FRONT PANEL, AND A SUPPORT TAB CARRIED BY THE CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID FIRST FRONT PANEL AND EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID ANGLED FREE EDGE, SAID SUPPORT TAB BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT THE CUFF AND LEG PORTION OF THE LOWERMOST SOCK IN SAID PAIR. 